Former Humboldt resident stabbed to death in Santa Rosa; woman previously lived in Carlotta with mother

A 24-year-old recent transplant from Humboldt County was stabbed to death in Santa Rosa, and officials said Friday they have yet to identify any suspects.

Michela Wooldridge was found dead Thursday after paramedics received a report at 5:21 a.m. from passing joggers that someone was lying in the driveway of a business in the 1200 block of Fourth Street in Santa Rosa, according to the Santa Rosa Police Department. Paramedics noticed Wooldridge had injuries consistent with stab wounds to her torso.

Santa Rosa Police Department Sgt. David Linscomb said Friday that Wooldridge was identified through fingerprint records. He said she's believed to have moved from Humboldt County to Santa Rosa a little more than one month ago. He said Wooldridge was homeless in Santa Rosa, which was determined by talking to other homeless residents in the area.

Police believe the assault occurred in the early morning hours, and determined Wooldridge was stabbed multiple times before succumbing to her wounds, according to a police press release. The motive for the assault is unknown at this time. There was nothing to indicate the crime was a robbery or sexual assault.

With no suspect, Linscomb said law enforcement officials are simply trying to piece together what happened.

"At this point, we're talking to people who may have known her," Linscomb said.

Yuba City resident Nick Azbill said Wooldridge is the mother of his nearly 3-year-old son, of whom he has custody. He said Wooldridge was living in Carlotta with her mother and had moved to Santa Rosa in mid-September to be closer to her son.

"She moved to Santa Rosa to a Christian women's shelter," Azbill said.

He said she left the center with some unidentified men in mid-October, and had texted him a few times from one of their phones. He said it's possible she fell in with the wrong crowd without even knowing it.

"She was very independent and outgoing," Azbill said.

Sonoma County Coroner's Office forensic assistant Esmeralda Mercado Shields said Wooldridge's father, who lives in Sonoma County, has been notified of her death. An autopsy was being performed Friday, and a toxicology report has been ordered.

The Sonoma County Alliance, through its "Take Back Our Community Program," is offering up to $2,500 in reward money for information leading to the arrest of a suspect in the case. Police are asking anyone with information to contact the Santa Rosa Police Department's Violent Crime Investigations Team at 543-3590.